There’s plenty of help on hand here. A good bunch to be found. But to be safe - and at least until you become comfortable with the approach etc. - I recommend you only take advice from people with at least 2 or 3 stars against their profile as it’s not been unknown for the odd troll (debt purchaser / collection agency) to pop up masquerading as a legitimate person in need of help but giving out misleading advice... Having said that, the kind moderators on here do a stirling job kicking the trolls out!

Remember to send the template letters 10 days apart and by Royal Mail signed for delivery. (And make sure you download a PDF of the signature once each letter has been delivered / signed).

Whatever they send in reply (unless it’s from a solicitor on their behalf - VERY unlikely at this stage, if ever) then don’t worry and keep to the letter system / timescales. The fear does go, trust me :-) In fact, after a while, you will in fact start to think “Jeez these people are fools...” As one previous great moderator once said: “it’s just people in an office...” And we all know how incompetent so many of these people are (I have plenty of examples from original creditors, debt purchasers and debt collection agencies - and on that note, it’s important you remain clear of the distinction esp when you apply the relevant and respective template letters).

We make every effort to be clear and professional (template letters) and yet they make mistakes...

With the first letter you send, also send a Removal of Implied Rights of Access which can be found here:

So long as you’re organised (get a folder - my one is pretty thick now!) / keep copies of your letters (and theirs i.e. those of the debt purchasers / collection agents) - and your recorded delivery receipts/signatures - you’ll be in good shape and find that the three letter template approach works (I’ve been using it with success for years as have others.)

Perhaps Keep the folder out of site and forget about it and the low lives and live your life in between receiving and sending letters.

Also don’t use email. Always deal in writing. If you have since replied via email then perhaps change your email address. IF I ever get an email from a DCA etc it would go to my junk mail and there it would stay...

Also NEVER use personal details inc reference numbers, alleged debt amounts (just round up to the nearest £1K) and dates of the letters your receive or send. Pretty much anything that helps maintain your anonymity (again, those trolls......)